The Menopausal Supermodel

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Hiya Blogland!!! I'm still alive and sort of kicking! ! It's been a while since I've posted. I have limited time I can sit at a computer comfortably. I've been using the time crafting or sewing. I've finally got the tablet picture and posting thing worked out so hopefully I'll be more active. I have been reading and keeping up with everyone's b logs even if I'm not commenting.

Brief update on the back injury. I'm still out on disability workers comp (over 6 months-yuck). I have severe sciatica and back pain due to a bulging disc, discal cyst, discal protrusion and sprained, inflamed spinal ligament. They gave me a spinal steroid epidural about 2 weeks ago to see if it would help the pain. Unfortunately so far nothing. They may possibly try another next month pending the results of the nerve c induction test they did this week. I am becoming more resigned to having back surgery. Anyway...enough whining!!! Lol

The BIG news that has me over the moon is we are going to be grandparents in early October. For Mother's Day Julie and Sean had Linda (Stan's mom) and I accompany them to their 20 week doctor's appointment. This visit would involve an ultrasound and the revealing of Baby Peanuts gender. Lauren the hustler also was able to join us as he had to drive me.

It was AMAZING!! Seeing the heart beating and the baby moving. It was snoozing on it's tummy with its little legs drawn up under it and the little butt up in the air. When the tech would press the wand down, a little arm would come up and swat it away!!

And it was pretty obvious to see that Baby Peanut is........

A BOY!!!!

We are thrilled!! I've already bought him a little camo onesie!! He's the size of a cola can and weighs 11 Oz. I call him Baby Cletus!!

And a nice this is a style *snerk* blog this is what I was wearing:

The sweater is thrifted and old. I ordered the maxi online from Kmart. It's Jaclyn Smith- I love her stuff. I wanted a couple more maxis as almost all of mine from last year were too big. Thank heaven's for online shopping as my thrifting days are very limited.

I'm coming out of hiding and linking up with all all of the lively ladies at VISIBLE MONDAY !!!

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Hiya Blogland!!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!!! A happy Easter to all who celebrate, too!!

Our daughter will be coming over for Easter dinner along with the hubster's parents. I'm anxious to see her little baby bump!!! She says she can feel the baby moving a bit. There will be baby bump pictures later this week....LOLOLOL

I totally spaced taking pix of my holiday tree dressed for Valentine's and St. Paddy's days. I got the tree on clearance after Christmas and stuck it in a spray painted thrifted planter. I plan on adding some white mini-lights when I change it out for the patriotic season (Memorial day thru July 4th) The ornaments are from the Dollar Store and Christmas Tree Shoppe.

For my not-so-exciting life I wore this to go to the Motor Vehicles office to get a new handicap tag. The sweater is Coldwater Creek/thrifted (I have worn this thing a lot this winter!!, Tshirt is Walmart, Jeans are Faded Glory/Walmart, Shoes-TomMcCann/Kmart (old). Walmart has these tshirts by Hanes every year. I got these online for $5 each. They have a nice design and some glitter to spice them up.

This is what I wore to church today. I stopped in a consignment store near the physical therapy place I'd never been in. It was really nice--adult clothes only and reasonably priced. This dress still had it's $78 tags on it and was priced at $10.99. It's an airy chiffon fabric in my fav colors!! The shoes are my thrifted 9west flats that seems to have become my "church" shoes.

I'm off to stick some funeral potatoes in the oven for dinner. I'm linking up with the ever-fab Patti and the gang for Visible Monday.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Hiya Blogland!! I'm still having connection issues with the camera and new tablet. The port thingy they just sent STILL doesn't work. We are heading out this weekend to Best Buy to talk with a Samsung guy and get the right one. sometimes mail order isn't the best way!! Hubby has been using his laptop for final projects in school so I have to catch a moment when I can!

Last picture of the Diva and me taken April 12, 2013.

This week marked the one year anniversary of our beloved Diva's passing. Not a day goes by we don't miss her bossy, prissy sweet little self. Gracie is a love bug and we adore her. Yet no one had so much personality and diva-tude rolled up in a blonde 8 lb chihuahua body.

This is how I put a bird on it--LOLOL. I saw this sweater online at Kmart and fell in love. It's a nice silky cotton knit. The skirt is lace and still had the $59 tags on it. This outfit reminds me of something sweet Patti would wear!!

I'm not able to do much thrifting these days. Thankfully I had put aside some Spring/Summer goodies last fall during my thrift-a-thons. A good bit of my wardrobe is still packed up and will remain so. Thank heavens for online shopping. The striped Apt.9 tops above were on sale and with some Kohl's cash I was given and coupons I was able to get them for around $8 each--which is thrift store prices in my area.

I plan on commandeering the hubster's computer again for Visible Monday if I must. Everyone have a fantastic weekend!!

Monday, April 7, 2014

Hiya Blogland!! How is everyone doing??? It looks like Spring has finally arrived in Western Maryland!! Last nite a bunch of ladies came to my house for a get together to celebrate Andrea's birthday. She asked that we all wear animal print. I pulled out the awesome leopard caftan that Misfit Sarah sent me.

Baby Peanut is 14 weeks and doing well. Mommy is tired a great deal and just starting to wear maternity pants.

Life is the same old , same old here. The back is still crapola. The MRI showed a bulging disc, cyst on the disc caused by a tear that leaked on one side, a protrusion on the other side of the disc and the spinal ligament is inflamed and enlarged. Sigh..... All if this is causing the pain and sciatica. Still doing physical therapy and stuck at home. The orthopedic doctor had me take a massive dose of steroids this week to see if it will make the inflammation go down and ease the pain. If this doesn't work then it's an epidural shot. They want to prolong the inevitable of surgery. Ah well...........

I looked in the bins with the spring & summer stuff and pretty much left it all packed up. My lifestyle these days has no use for office attire. I had some stuff I thrift ed last year for this season that is workable now. I really am wearing more loose and unstructured stuff that is easy to do PT in.

Here's some of what I've been sporting these days:

Nothing very exciting here. I bought the slouchy cotton knit sweaters on deep clearance at Kohl's. They were cheaper than thrift prices. I got a lilac nubby, mint nubby and pale blue basket weave one. I have been wearing them almost non-stop with jeans and a scarf lately. The ballet flats in the top picture are from Target. I beat my old black pair to death last year and re-ordered online to replace them. since they were on sale I also got nude ones and cobalt blue. I'm wearing them in the top pix. It's more of a navy blue than a bright cobalt.

The middle pix is what I wore to church. It's totally thrifted--top is SagHarbor, skirt Dressbarn and shoes Nine West. The sweater has a bit of lurex in it and itches me like crazy. It's going to Andrea as she loves it. The skirt is a nice light fabric--it was never worn as the pleats were still stitched down. A longer fuller skirt works for me now as I have to sit a bit awkward and unladylike and pencil skirts are too dangerous!!

I'm linking up with all the lovely and visible ladies for Visible Monday!!!

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Hiya Blogland!! I'm working with my sweet new Galaxy Note 0.1 tablet!!! I'm not able to upload my camera photos yet as I'm waiting for a back ordered cord!! I'm still learning how to maneuver around the tablet--I love it but I get happy fingers! I got a bluetooth keyboard which will help me with commenting and such.

Our daughter Julie finished grad school this month and received her MBA from the University of Maryland University College. I think she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She has worked hard these last few years in school and I'm proud that she's such smart and motivated young lady.

Our grandpuppy Noelle

But the big news is that these young people:

Julie and hubby Sean

Will be giving us a very special gift this October 5th!

Baby Peanut 3/21/2014 at 11 weeks days

I would like to introduce everyone to Baby Peanut!! Baby Peanut is our FIRST GRANDCHILD!!!!! Mimi (me) and Pap-Pap (Lauren) are over the moon, as is everyone else in the family. The first grand and great-grand child will be entering a large circle of love. She will find out May 12th whether is Mister Peanut or Princess Peanut.

This was a HUGE SURPRISE!!! Sean and Julie invited us out to dinner for my birthday on Februay 23rd and we invited my mom along. Julie handed me a wrapped package and when I opened it there was a picture frame saying "sweet baby" on it and the message in pink & blue: Expected Due Date October 2014. I let out a shriek!!! BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!!!!! I was so happy my mom could be there to hear about the news of her first great-grandchild.

I plan on being the coolest and hippest grandmother around! Once we know if it's a boy or girl I can gear up making stuff for the nursery. I'm already working on an afghan!

Julie and my niece Jackie in 1990

It's hard to believe that these little girls are both expecting babies today. Jackie is expecting baby #3 in August. It seems like yesterday they were plying with baby dolls!!

I'm linking up with everyone at Visible Monday as I'm gonna be one Visible Grandmother!!!

I hope to have the camera stuff figured out so I can share some outfits later this week!!

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Hiya Blogland!!! I'm here in the Craft Palace with the window open enjoying the wonderful Spring breezes. Before we get ANOTHER FREAKING SNOWSTORM tomorrow night. EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKK!!!

I had it all planned to post on Wednesday but our modem/router had other plans. We had been having trouble keeping a stable internet connection for a couple of weeks and it just pfftted out on Tuesday. After many phone calls and much hair-pulling it was determined that the router/modem was bad. Hubster connected the new system up last nite so we are now good to go.

In time for me to take another min-blogging break after just returning!! But this is for a good reason-we decided to use some of the tax return to replace my laptop and Kindle with a super sweet Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 tablet!! Since my back injury I have limited time I can sit at the desk using the laptop. The Kindle can surf the web (from the recliner or bed) but can't really do much else. The new tablet will allow me to do all kinda cool stuff!!! It's supposed to arrive early next week. My laptop and Kindle will be finding a new home with friends. This is my last posting from the laptop but I'll be back next Sunday for Visible Monday with some SUPER EXCITING NEWS!!!

Since the injury my style choices have had to adapt to the new reality of not being in an office environment. I basically am homebound except for PT, doctor's appointments and church with an occasional meal outting with the hubster. I've had to get some athletic pants and casual t's to wear-especially for PT. A pencil skirt and blouse just doesn't work-LOL!!! I've had to re-evaluate my Spring/Summer wardrobe in light of this. I'm just going to leave stuff that won't work packed up.

I'm not really able to do much thrifting (and boy how I MISS it) so I've been ordering some stuff online to fill in the gaps. Thankfully I had thrifted some stuff at the end of the season last Fall for this year!

Here's my oh-so-inspiring outfits for a week full of PT and Doctor Appointments!

Since I needed casual pants to wear with flats I ordered a pair of "skinny" jeans from Walmart to try out. They are Faded Glory brand and I was very surprised on how well they fit. The shoes are my thrifted LizClaiborne pink loafer. The sweater is Sonoma from Kohls/gift. I got the scarf at ACMoore Craft store. They have a nice selection and they regularly go on sale for 2/$5. i loved the colors and the springy dogwood print. I've been wearing a lot of scarves like this lately. As you can see i got photo-bombed by cuteness!!

I'm wearing a pair of jeans that I made into boyfriend skinnies. I had been wearing them tucked into taller boots all winter. The boots are my trusty thrifted Nine West ankle booties. The cardigan is Fashionbug/thrifted. The tshirt had no label but was thrifted last year. I have no idea why the picture quality is so blotchy but I will attribute it to my stellar photo editing skillz!!

There's my Walmart jeans again with a thrifted raspberry cardigan, grey graphic tshirt from Kohl's, scarf from Kmart and old ThomMcCan pewter moccasins.

Oh look it's the pants again!! Actually this picture and the one above were taken the same day. I went to get a much needed hair-cut (hadn't been able to get one since November) before therapy so they could work out any pain issues sitting in the salon caused. Hubby was taking me for our weekly "get Tamera out in the human race" meal excursion. It's good to be out but it involves some pain meds before and a heating pad afterwards and laying down!! I thifted the top last fall. It's a cotton knit and probably originally from the late 80's/early 90's. The style and color are right on trend now--proves what goes around comes around again!! The scarf is from ACMoore.

Here's a close-up of the shirt--it's a textured kind of print. I had several compliments on it while out--even a teenage girl commented how cute it was.

And now for gratuitous cute doggy pix. They have been my constant companions the last few months- one on each side as we sit in the recliner!!

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Hiya Blogland!!! I've finally returned to the land of the living or something such. I just fell down a rabbit hole in the last few weeks. Between the never-ending cold and snow, my back issues, a nasty flare-up of the Fibromyalgia, and the crapfest of dealing with the Workman's Comp folk I just lost my mojo to blog.

To be quite honest I have been in a nice blue funk. I finally started some physical therapy last month which helped the Fibromyalgia pain some although did nothing back-wise. I finally got an MRI and it shows that I have a slipped/bulging/herniated disc that is causing the sciatica in my left leg. I see a neurosurgeon this week to discuss my options for treatment.

Being housebound and somewhat immobile has made me slowly lose my mind I think. I only get out for doctor's appointments, PT and church. To say I have cabin fever is an understatement!! I have been getting lots of wonderful doggie loving. They are glued on my lap!

I've been slogging along with the dollhouse. I can only work maybe 1/2 hour at a time so it's been a slow-go. I hope to have the grand reveal around April 1st.

At the top I placed a picture of our Queen Misty. She was 17 years old on January 8th. She had been failing (kidneys, etc.) for some time and we had to help her over the rainbow bridge last month. She was undisputedly the QUEEN in this house. she also had a "thing" for fresh produce from the grocery store.

Anyhow, getting back into the swing of things!!! I have a few not-so-exciting outfits to post. I need to take a picture of my PT outfit as it's the one I'm in the most!